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12 Cards in this Set
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Legitimacy |
a characterization of elections by political scientists meaning that they are almost universally accepted as a fair and free method of selecting political leaders. When it is high, as in the US, even the losers accept the results peacefully. |
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Referendum |
a state-level method of direct legislation that gives voters a chance to approve or disprove proposed legislation or a proposed Constitutional amendment. |
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initiative petition |
a process permitted in some states whereby voters may put proposed changes in the State constitution to a vote if sufficient signatures are obtained on petitions calling for such a referendum. |
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Suffrage |
the right to vote. |
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political efficacy |
the belief that one’s political participation really matters – that one’s vote can actually make a difference. |
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civic duty |
the belief that in order to support democratic government a citizen should always vote. |
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voter registration |
a system adopted by states that requires voters to register well in advance of election day. A few states permit election day registration. |
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Motor Voter Act (1993) |
an act that went into effect for the 1996 election., It requires states to permit people to register to vote at the same time they apply for their driver’s license. |
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mandate theory of elections |
the idea that the winning candidate has a mandate from the people to carry out his or her platforms and politics. Politicians like the theory better than political scientists do. |
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policy voting |
electoral choices that are made on the basis of the voter’s policy preferences and on the basis of where the candidates stand on policy issues. |
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electoral college |
a unique American institution created by the Constitution providing for the selection of the President by electors chosen by the state parties. Although the electoral college vote usually reflects a popular majority, the winner-takes-all rule gives clout to big states. |
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retrospective voting |
a theory of voting in which voters essentially ask the simple question: “What have you done for me lately?” |
